Two Butler County farms are among 40 farms across the state that were accepted into the state farmland preservation program, which protects the land from future residential, commercial or industrial development.

Through the program, more than $9.7 million in state and county money was invested into preserving 3,528 acres on 40 farms in 19 counties and used to leverage $735,170 in federal money that will be put toward preserving farms on waiting lists in six counties, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

In the county, Maple Shade Farms, a 132-acre crop and beef farm in Forward Township; and the Wayne A., Kathryn J. and Timothy W. Pizor Farm, a 37-acre crop farm in Worth Township, were accepted into the program. Those farms represent a $653,671 investment by the state and $189,727 by the county. Those funds will leverage $53,750 in federal funds.

Timothy Pizor said the 37 acres recently enrolled in the program is part of family-run 300-acre beef cattle farm operated by him; his wife, Brandy; and his parents, Wayne and Kathryn Pizor. They raise corn, soybeans and wheat, in addition to the cattle.

He said 120 acres of the farm was enrolled in the program many years ago.

“(I) just hate to see all the farm ground disappear,” Pizor said.

His grandparents started farming on land that is now part of Moraine State Park, and they bought the current property after being forced to relocate, he said.

All the farms accepted into the program April 14 bring the total number of farms in the program to 6,044 farms and total number of acres to 611,620.

“Protecting prime farmland is public policy that works, and a priority we all agree on,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “It’s a long-lasting, highly effective partnership among state, federal, county and local governments and the farm families who are committed to feeding future generations. Together, we are protecting Pennsylvania’s priceless resources and sustaining our economy.”

By selling their land’s development rights, landowners preserve their farms, protecting the land from future residential, commercial or industrial development. Pennsylvania partners with county, and sometimes local, governments and nonprofits to purchase the development rights, ensuring a strong future for farming and food security.

To date, federal programs have leveraged more than $37 million to assist Pennsylvania in preserving more than 41,000 additional acres of farmland.

Six federally funded farms approved April 14 support the preservation of 505.87 acres. These farms will leverage $735,170 in federal reimbursements that will go toward preserving farms on waiting lists in their counties.

Gov. Tom Wolf’s $1.7 billion plan to help Pennsylvania recover from the COVID-19 pandemic includes $450 million in American Rescue Plan Act money to support conservation, recreation and preservation efforts, including farmland preservation.